Fundamental Human Rights – March 2022

Hale Place believes that face-to-face contact with loved ones, in care, is a fundamental human right and it is unforgivable that some providers continue to deny family members entry to their loved ones home. Shutting up shop, on an ongoing basis, to ‘safeguard’ residents and staff simply beggars belief.

When a virus spreads within a home, a temporary closure is necessary to safeguard the uninfected and prevent the virus from spreading into the community. I believe everyone understands this is a sensible protocol which we all agree with. Unfortunately, Hale Place recently had to introduce lockdown measurers because of the spread of COVID-19 through our residents and staff members. During this lockdown, some of our residents were at end of life and we welcomed close relatives into the home to be with their loved ones.

We will always welcome a family member to have a window visit during a period of infection or if the person is at end of life or in destress. A family member will be given the opportunity to have a face-to-face connection.

National news outlets have reported family members and various representative groups suggest that providers hold all the power concerning visitation, but I disagree. Family members can move, and should move, their loved one to a provider who listens and works with the family to achieve the best outcomes for people. If family members do not agree with the providers values, philosophy of care or policies then why would they not take decisive action? Conversely, a provider should give notice if trust is broken and where parties are not working in harmony for best outcomes for the person.

Hale Place welcomes suggestions concerning any matter that impacts their love one and each families requests will always be considered on an individual basis; the only caveat is our wider duty of care to all service users residing in our homes.

In many cases, families trusted the Government and the Care Quality Commission to facilitate access but, two years on, we continue to have the most basic breaches of human rights highlighted within our national media. These are Britain’s forgotten and some are dying of loneliness and isolation. Legislation should be passed to ensure loved ones are together, hugging and giving comfort. In the meantime, those families who remain frustrated, should move their family member to a home that embraces humanistic virtues throughout its practices.